By Martin Banks - 22nd June 2011
Croatia still has a lot to do to properly protect human rights
Marije Cornelissen
A cross-party group of MEPs have cast fresh doubts on Croatia's credentials to become the latest country to join the EU.
It comes after the EU on Tuesday warned Croatia that its bid to join the EU will be delayed or even derailed if it does not follow through on accession promises.
Member states are expected to approve a declaration on Friday to welcome Croatia into the EU in 2013, but this will depend on each state's ratification.
Britain, France and Germany will push for sanctions against Croatia should reforms falter and any failure to keep up the momentum could mean the accession bid being pushed back further.
This comes after UKIP leader Nigel Farage warned that expanding the EU to include Croatia would add even more burden.
Farage said, "The EU is broke, and to include another Balkan country at this time would be financial nonsense", he said. "If a failing business was to announce that it was taking over another company that would add to its debit, not credit sheet the markets would think it was mad, the same goes for the EU bringing in Croatia.
"At a time when the EU is struggling to contain the expense of its economic failures it is entirely inappropriate for it to be even considering Croatian accession."
His comments follow further criticism of Croatia after gay protesters met with violence during a parade earlier this month.
The march in Split on 11 June was marred by violence from a crowd of right-wing extremists. At least six activists and journalists were taken to the hospital after stones, ashtrays and other hard projectiles were thrown at them.
Dutch Greens MEP Marije Cornelissen said the police failed to protect participants adequately.
She said the procession faced shouts such as "Kill the faggots", and arrays of Nazi salutes.
"The police did not keep protestors at a safe distance from marchers, and projectiles hit at least six people."
The demo took place one day after the commission announced it would propose that the EU and Croatia conclude accession talks.
Cornelissen said, "Accession requires that Croatia be declared level with EU standards in several areas, including fundamental rights and the protection of minorities.
"I never expected that it would go this wrong but the violence in Split shows that Croatia still has a lot to do to properly protect human rights. I hope that the authorities realise that until they actually join in 2013, they must join forces with LGBT organisations to firmly combat homophobia in Croatia."
Further comment came from Greens MEP Ulrike Lunacek who said, "The outbreak of homophobic hatred and violence shows that European values—including freedom of assembly and the protection of all minorities—are not yet fully at home in a country two years away from joining the EU.
"It will be necessary that before the end of negotiations, there is an agreement between government, parliament and civil society organisations over a concrete and transparent monitoring mechanism for the provision of justice and the protection of fundamental rights.”
